SAN FRANCISCO — Tennessee teenager Jackson Herrington made a 5-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to beat local favorite Niall Shiels Donegan on Saturday to advance to the U.S. Amateur final at The Olympic Club.

“I played this hole pretty well this week,” Herrington said. “I knew I could do it. Wind was in my favor. I hit a cut, was going to straighten every ball out. Had a good number for second shot.”

Herrington won 1 up and will face Georgia teenager Mason Howell in the 36-hole final Sunday. Howell beat Eric Lee 3 and 2 in the other semifinal at the 125th U.S. Amateur.

Both Harrington and Howell advanced to the final after being among the 17 players to survive a 20-man playoff Wednesday morning to determine the final 64 for match play.

The matches teed off in typical summer San Fra

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